Lisa & Mike

Lisa Thomson ’80 and Mike Cottle ’79 

How did you meet? Through mutual ASL friends, Kathy Selgas ’80 and Raul Biancardi ’80

What was your first impression of Lisa? Lisa was as beautiful then as she is now.

What was your first date? Skiing in Saas Fee, Switzerland, in 1979—which is also our favorite ASL memory.

How would people describe your relationship in high school? One of our guidance counselors, Neal King, saved letters I had written to him about Lisa back then, and they tell the story of a couple that was compatible and truly in love. 

What’s your favorite thing about Lisa? Our shared love of travel.

Describe your life today. 37 years after meeting at ASL, and several different paths taken along the way, we married in 2017 and couldn’t be happier. We live in Estero, Florida, and have a great life with our merged families: five wonderful kids and three grandkids. It feels as if we’ve been together all of this time. 

Lisa and Mike tied the knot 37 years after meeting in 2017, and their ASL friends were thrilled! Left to right: Mark Pearson '80, Colleen O’Hare '80, Mike, Lisa, Raul Biancardi '80, Kathy (Selgas) Chester '80 and Tom Dickson '80

Where do you see yourselves in 10 years? Probably surrounded by grandchildren, some of whom we already have.

Lisa and Mike visited campus in October 2019